What will happen in first round of 2019 NFL Draft?

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Kyler Murray gave up baseball to pursue a career in pro football. He’ll likely be rewarded by being selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the top overall pick in today’s first round of the NFL Draft in Nashville. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

Sue Ogrocki / AP

Looking forward to the 2019 NFL Draft? Here’s our expert’s breakdown of every pick in the first round

The Philly soul group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes summed up this draft process perfectly with their 1972 classic, “If You Don’t Know Me by Now.”

“If you don’t know me by now; You will never, never, never know me”

If the Cardinals don’t know what they’re doing with the top overall selection in today’s first round of the NFL Draft by now, after being on the clock for four months, they’ll never, never, never know.

Are you ready for some football?

Of course, I mean a bunch of men sitting around a conference table wearing khakis and team-branded polo shirts (only two men in the case of the Raiders), deciding the futures of more than 250 former collegians who’ve decided to make football their livelihood. It’s the closest thing we have to actual football this time of year.

(My apologies to whatever the Alliance of American Football league was.)

The 2019 NFL Draft is upon us. Here’s an educated guess at what will happen Thursday night:

1. ARIZONA

Pick: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has been recruiting Murray since 2012, when he was a sophomore in high school. His persistence finally pays off here.

Plan B: Defensive lineman

Either Nick Bosa (Ohio St.) or Quinnen Williams (Alabama) would pair nicely with Chandler Jones if the Cardinals decide to shock the world and pass on the Heisman Trophy winner.

Wild card: Trade down

Was the love for Murray a smokescreen all along? Possible dance partners: Raiders, Giants, Bengals and Redskins.

Many consider the Alabama prospect the best player in the draft. Williams forms a dynamic duo with DeForest Buckner (or potentially replaces him if he leaves for big money in two years).

Wild card: Trade down

The Cardinals create a market for the Niners if they pass on Murray.

3. N.Y. JETS

Pick: Trade down

The Jets have been open for business since January. They’d like to recoup some of the capital they spent last year trading up for Sam Darnold. The target would be whoever’s left out of Murray, Bosa and Williams.

Plan B: Bosa or Williams

Either would pair nicely with Leonard Williams.

Wild card: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Some people inside the organization believe “he’s an alien” according to the New York Daily News. DC Gregg Williams would settle for a poor man’s Aaron Donald.

4. OAKLAND

Pick: Devin White, LB, LSU

This would surprise some, but the Butkus Award winner (nation’s top linebacker) is special and fills a legitimate need for the Silver and Black.

Plan B: Josh Allen, Edge, Kentucky

Assuming Williams is off the board, Allen would be the perfect replacement for Khalil Mack.

Wild card: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio St.

Reports have the Raiders making a “surprise” pick here. This would qualify and shake up the draft board. Oliver is also in play, but he shares an agent with Mack and Amari Cooper, which could be problematic.

Hockenson is the first sophomore ever to win the John Mackey Award (nation’s top tight end), and would help elevate both the pass and run game. Nick Foles would rejoice.

8. DETROIT

Pick: Trade down

The Lions have many needs. This would be a perfect spot to jump up for a top-tier offensive tackle.

Plan B: Ferrell

Head coach Matt Patricia would appreciate the most productive player on the most talented defensive line in college football.

Wild card: Hockenson

The Lions have a bad history of taking tight ends early, but this kid is special and Patricia saw firsthand what an elite tight end can do for an offense.

9. BUFFALO

Pick: Jawaan Taylor, T, Florida

If Josh Allen (the quarterback) is going to develop into anything resembling a passer, he’ll need upgraded protection.

Plan B: Dillard

There’s a significant drop-off in talent at the position after the top three offensive tackles are off the board.

Wild card: Offensive weapon

This is the earliest we’d see wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (Ole Miss). Hockenson is also in play here.

10. DENVER

Pick: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

The top tight end in a historic draft class for the position is a nice gift for new quarterback Joe Flacco.

Plan B: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

New Broncos coach Vic Fangio needs an elite linebacker in the middle of his defense.

Wild card: Quarterback

The Broncos have been connected to Drew Lock (Missouri) since the Senior Bowl. Haskins also impressed the organization by showing up in a John Elway jersey for his official visit.

11. CINCINNATI

Pick: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

The Bengals have had issues with their linebackers for a while.

Plan B: Quarterback

New head coach (Zac Taylor) usually means new quarterback. Andy Dalton is headed into a contract year. Both Haskins and Lock are in play here if the Devins are gone.

Wild card: Trade up

The Bengals are a dark horse to move up, but it’s usually the price for a quarterback of the future.

12. GREEN BAY

Pick: AndreDillard, T, Washington State

The Packers’ top priority has to be keeping Aaron Rodgers in good health. Through him, all is possible.

Plan B: Tight end

Noah Fant (Iowa) and Irv Smith (Alabama) could be in play. It would be a difficult choice between Dillard and Hockenson, if he’s still available.

Wild card: Trade up

The Packers have the ammunition (No. 12 and 30) if they choose to target someone in the top 10.

13. MIAMI

Pick: Defensive lineman

This defense hasn’t been the same since Ndamukong Suh set the tone. Gary and Christian Wilkins (Clemson) fit new head coach Brian Flores’ scheme.

Plan B: Offensive lineman

Williams would be the pick if he is still on the board.

Wild card: Quarterback

The “Tank for Tagovailoa” march is on, but I wouldn’t fault them for taking a signal-caller. It’s their biggest need.

14. ATLANTA

Pick: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

This could be Grady Jarrett’s final season as a Falcon.

Plan B: Brian Burns, Edge, Florida State

Vic Beasley is in the final year of his contract as well.

Wild card: Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma

They will certainly be tempted to upgrade their offensive line.

15. WASHINGTON

Pick: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

The former Buckeye attended the same high school in Maryland as owner Dan Snyder’s son.

Plan B: Quarterback

Alex Smith’s gruesome leg injury will likely make a QB a necessity here, assuming they don’t trade for Josh Rosen. They’ve done all the work on all the quarterbacks in this draft class. Lock and Daniel Jones (Duke) are in play here as well.

Wild card: Trade up

There’s a chance they’re smitten with Haskins and they make a move to get their guy.

16. CAROLINA

Pick: Trade up

GM Marty Hurney has spent most his time studying offensive linemen during this draft cycle. They could move up for a top-three tackle.

Plan B: Edge rusher

Sweat or Burns would help replace future Hall of Famer Julius Peppers.

Wild card: Trade down

If they pass on an edge rusher and can’t find a dance partner in the top 10, moving down, stockpiling picks and targeting a tier two tackle would be prudent.

17. N.Y. GIANTS

Pick: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke

Jones is a David Cutcliffe protege (See: The Mannnings) who was a three-year starter with pro-level mechanics and accuracy.

Plan B: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

The prototypical nose tackle could be the target if they address quarterback earlier in the draft.

Wild card: Offensive lineman

They’re going to address the O-line at some point. A top-three tackle could be targeted if one falls or an elite interior prospect if they pass on a quarterback with their first pick.

18. MINNESOTA

Pick: Garrett Bradbury, C, N.C. State

The Vikings need a talent infusion on the offensive line. Bradbury is an athletic technician who will make life easier for Kirk Cousins. Truth is, almost any offensive lineman would be an upgrade.

Plan B: Defensive line

I’m sure head coach Mike Zimmer would love to dip into the defensive talent pool if one of the elite prospects fall. The Vikings will definitely address the trenches on both sides of the ball in this draft.

Wild card: Trade up

This would be to target a top-three tackle.

19. TENNESSEE

Pick: Edge rusher

Losing Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan makes this a priority. I know they’re enthralled with Burns. Sweat or Ferrell would work if they’re available.

Byron Murphy (Washington), DeAndre Baker (Georgia) and “Greedy” Williams (LSU) are all upgrades over the Steelers’ current talent.

Plan B: Linebacker

They’d likely prefer one of the Devins here.

Wild card: Wide receiver

The Steelers will likely target a replacement for Antonio Brown on the first two days of the draft.

21. SEATTLE

Pick: Defensive lineman

The trade of Frank Clark to Kansas City means there’s a hole on the defensive line. Sweat and Jeffery Simmons (Mississippi State) both have legit upside. This is probably the earliest we see Simmons’ name called.

Plan B: Defensive back

The Legion of Boom needs to be rebuilt. This is the earliest we’d see a safety come off the board. Potential targets: Johnathan Abram (Mississippi State), Taylor Rapp (Washington) and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Florida).

Wild card: Trade down

GM John Schneider has traded down from the first round seven straight years.

22. BALTIMORE

Pick: Edge rusher

The Ravens lost Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith in free agency. This is a landing spot if any of the top five prospects fall.